Fishing in Central Park

Fishing at The Lake – Photo: Geff Rossi

Believe it or not, you can fish in Central Park in a number of places. The best fishing in the park is at Harlem Meer on the North East corner of the park. During operating hours, 10am to 3pm (1pm on Sunday), they will even provide you with a free pole and bait. Below we’ve included a map of all locations where fishing is permitted. It is important to know that you may not fish in The Resevoir or Turtle Pond.

Where:

Harlem Meer

This eleven acre lake contains over 50,000 fish including carp, golden shiners, large mouth bass, chain pickerel, and shiners. It’s also the most fisher friendly. Between 10 am and 3 pm (1 pm on Sundays), you can get free bait or even borrow a fishing pole from the Dana Discovery Center, located at the Meer.

The Lake

There are fish a plenty in the Lake though it is likely to have boaters in it at peak hours so you’ll want to be careful not to get close.

The Pond

A calm area considering it’s near one of the most popular entrances to the park. Fishing is permitted here.

The Pool

A lesser known and rather small body of water off of 104th Street on the west side of the park. Fishing is permitted here.

Rules:

Catch and release: If you’re planning to have dinner, you’ll have to find somewhere else to fish. Anything caught in from a freshwater source in a city park, has to be immediately released.

Be gentle: You want the fish to live once you release it. do, you know, Don’t toss it around. The park asks that you use wet hands to protect the fish’s scales and to release them underwater rather than throwing them back into the water.

No traps: Kind of obvious, right?

Safe fishing gear: Anglers are not allowed to use lead weights or barbed hooks.

Ignore those other animals: The park doesn’t want you to disturb or feed turtles, birds, squirrels, raccoons, or anything else you might encounter while fishing.

Bait: In recent years there has been a push to use corn as bait so as worms or artificial baits can affect the ecosystem of the park. Fish with bread or hot dogs, is very frowned upon and while you might not get a ticket, consevancy staff will surely ask you to stop. If you’re fishing at Harlem Meer, you can obtain complimentary bait from the Dana Center.

Have a license: Remember that anyone over sixteen years old who fishes in New York State is required to have a fishing license. These can be obtained from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

"One of the most delightful and informative activities that I have ever done in my forty years living on the edge of the park." (more Central Park Sunset Tours reviews)

https://www.centralparksunsettours.com/testimonials/worth-it/

"I've done a lot of walking tours and this one was very good. The average person on vacation is not going to get to see a lot of the park unless they do a tour like this." (more Central Park Sunset Tours reviews)

Louey - London, UK

5.0

2017-08-17T18:17:43-04:00

Louey - London, UK

"I've done a lot of walking tours and this one was very good. The average person on vacation is not going to get to see a lot of the park unless they do a tour like this." (more Central Park Sunset Tours reviews)

https://www.centralparksunsettours.com/testimonials/nicely-done/

5

4

About Our Central Park Tours

We strive to give the best damn Central Park tour that money can buy. Our tour guides are friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and officially licensed by NYC. Our Central Park tours highlight more than twenty-seven different locations in Central Park at sunset.

Nice, informative tour Great overview of the park, with lots of history. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Having a small group was very nice. It covers a lot of ground, so if you are looking for a leisurely stroll through the park,...read moreGreat overview of the park, with lots of history. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Having a small group was very nice. It covers a lot of ground, so if you are looking for a leisurely stroll through the park, this isn't it, but you can always go back to favorite spots.read less

AZDave11

A weekend highlight! Our tour was tailored to our group of 5 friends. Our guide, Matt, was informative and interactive. He took group pictures along the way, even walking us to a recommended pub and making sure we could find the train to...read moreOur tour was tailored to our group of 5 friends. Our guide, Matt, was informative and interactive. He took group pictures along the way, even walking us to a recommended pub and making sure we could find the train to get back. Meetup directions we're clear, and we got a clear understanding of the history development of park areas. Highly recommend!read less

Kate G

Best informational tour anywhere in NYC My wife and I took the Sunset Tour of Central Park this past Monday. Our tour guide, Matt, was simply the best. Having been on numerous other tours around Manhattan we were delighted to finally include Central Park. Matt's fund...read moreMy wife and I took the Sunset Tour of Central Park this past Monday. Our tour guide, Matt, was simply the best. Having been on numerous other tours around Manhattan we were delighted to finally include Central Park. Matt's fund of knowledge was phenomenal and we covered a lot of ground over the southern half of the park. We love to go another tour with Matt when we return to NYC!!!read less

PhillipB265

An absolute must do!!! My husband and I took the Central Park Sunset Tour, wanting to learn about the park. We had never visited there before. WOW! Our tour guide was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about all things in and related to the...read moreMy husband and I took the Central Park Sunset Tour, wanting to learn about the park. We had never visited there before. WOW! Our tour guide was amazing. She was so knowledgeable about all things in and related to the park. We were in a small group of 10. The pace was fast. She kept the group moving. There were photo ops and rest stops. The park is beautiful and it was great to learn about the cool historical sites within. I would definitely recommend this tour. Fantastic!!read less

DreamTraveler365

Our guide was Matt and he did an awesome job. Matt was very informative and nice. You can tell he knows a lot about the park and city past and present. I definitely recommend this tour.

Stacy A.

The Sunset Tour in Central Park 10/22/18 It was very interesting and professional tour with guide Matt.He knows everything about Central Park, he walked us through the areas we never been before. He gave us a history of everything we saw during our walking (about 3 hours).If...read moreIt was very interesting and professional tour with guide Matt.He knows everything about Central Park, he walked us through the areas we never been before. He gave us a history of everything we saw during our walking (about 3 hours).If you live in NYC or just visiting , this tour should be on the list of a " must to do" thinks.Thank you, Matt.read less

yh123az

Great experience! Five college roommates got together for a week-end in NYC. We booked your after we arrived but day before we wanted to go. Instructions on where to meet & confirmation emailed. Our guide, Matt, was knowledgeable & personable. He even...read moreFive college roommates got together for a week-end in NYC. We booked your after we arrived but day before we wanted to go. Instructions on where to meet & confirmation emailed. Our guide, Matt, was knowledgeable & personable. He even took group pics of us along the way. Definitely a highlight!!read less

Smaire

It doesn't get any better Outstanding tour with very knowledgeable guide, a don't miss experience.

Stevebeat1

The Sunset Tour in Central Park 10/22/18 It was very interesting and professional tour with guide Matt.He knows everything about Central Park, he walked us through the areas we never been before. He gave us a history of everything we saw during our walking (about 3 hours).If...read moreIt was very interesting and professional tour with guide Matt.He knows everything about Central Park, he walked us through the areas we never been before. He gave us a history of everything we saw during our walking (about 3 hours).If you live in NYC or just visiting , this tour should be on the list of a " must to do" thinks.Thank you, Matt.read less

yh123az

Even though I've lived in NYC (Manhattan) for 31 years, I found the Sunset tour as led by Matt very educational, and interesting. I went to parts of the park I'd never visited before, and I learned lots of history...read moreEven though I've lived in NYC (Manhattan) for 31 years, I found the Sunset tour as led by Matt very educational, and interesting. I went to parts of the park I'd never visited before, and I learned lots of history about the making of the park and what it was like to visit in the 19th century. Could I have read that in some book? Sure! But I wouldn't and didn't, and it's more memorable when you are actually there. My FitBit loved how much walking I did that day, so comfortable shoes are a must! Tour included a brief pitstop, which was much appreciated. I would definitely recommend this for native NY'ers and visitors. Many of the stops included park benches as well. Matt crammed alot into this tour.read less